How far is Centralia, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?

The driving distance from Centralia, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 179.8 miles (289.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
179.78 mi
02h 58m
Flight
149.49 mi
240.58 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Centralia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
149.49 mi
Kilometers
240.58 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
179.78 mi
Kilometers
289.32 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Joseph
Thu, Apr 30, 7:34 AM CDT
Return by in Centralia
Thu, Apr 30, 10:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Centralia
2026-04-30T04:35
Arrive Saint Joseph
Thu, Apr 30, 7:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Centralia
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Laclede
MO

City in Linn County, Missouri, United States

From Centralia
89.7 mi
01h 29m
To Saint Joseph
90 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph W
Destination
66°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Centralia and Saint Joseph.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Centralia and Saint Joseph.

  1. 1

    Start on South Rollins Street

    120 m · 22 sec · South Rollins Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Singleton Street

    103 m · 11 sec · West Singleton Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Allen Street

    2753 ft · 1 min · North Allen Street

  4. 4

    Turn left

    1775 ft · 31 sec

  5. 5

    Turn left

    84 m · 6 sec

  6. 6

    Turn straight

    10 mi · 14 min

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward US 63 North: Moberly

    1098 ft · 30 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    37.4 mi · 43 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit left toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Saint Joseph

    875 ft · 12 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

    103.1 mi · 2 hr · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    13.4 mi · 15 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    13.1 mi · 16 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 29 Business

    708 ft · 18 sec

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto South 10th Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South 10th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Frederick Avenue

    116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue

    42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Centralia and Saint Joseph.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
130 mi · 72%
US 63 North
37.6 mi · 21%
South 10th Street
1.22 mi · 1%
North Allen Street
0.52 mi
US 36 West
0.17 mi
I 29 Business
0.13 mi
Longest Stretch

Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

103 mi · 02h 00m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.3 mi
149.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Laclede
01h 29m from Centralia
Leave By
12:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Centralia and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Joseph.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Centralia to Saint Joseph?

The road trip is about 179.8 miles (289.3 km) and usually takes 02h 58m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Laclede is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.7 miles from Centralia and 90 miles from Saint Joseph.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.91 one way or $47.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Centralia and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Joseph.

Stop Ideas Near Laclede

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Laclede, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laclede.

RAIL

La Plata

64 mi away
535 N. Owensby St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Centralia and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 149.49 mi (240.58 km).

Centralia

#1 Centralia

City in Missouri

Population4,344
Coordinates39.2103200, -92.1379500
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Saint Joseph

#2 Saint Joseph

The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.

Population74,074
Coordinates39.7686100, -94.8466300
Altitude270
CountryUnited States
Start: South Rollins Street (-92.138074, 39.210341)
End: Walter Welsh Avenue (-94.846632, 39.768853)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 289 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.34 gal
24.01 L · about $23.91
Round trip
$47.82
12.68 gal · 48.02 L
Estimated CO2
56.3 kg one way
Round trip: 112.7 kg / 248 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.91 $47.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.96 $53.93
Premium $4.65 $29.51 $59.01
Diesel $5.30 $33.63 $67.25

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Missouri · Apr 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Centralia and Saint Joseph. The current time is 04:35:50.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.